Unreliable letter

By Jackie Brandtner

As I read Mark Bliss' article ("Naylor alleges athletic inducements") in Sunday's paper, I was reminded of scenes from one of my favorite movies, "All the President's Men," where reporters Woodward and Bernstein were constantly being ordered by their editor to verify sources for their potentially libelous stories on the Watergate break-in.

To use a letter written almost a year ago by a man who clearly has an agenda and who has a spotty record of presenting himself truthfully as the basis for this article is irresponsible. There are so many falsehoods and slanderous remarks within the cited letter.

It is stated that Bell City basketball coach Brian Brandtner was "offered $10,000 to help coach" an Amateur Athletic Union team in Memphis. He absolutely did not receive any pay whatsoever. He paid all travel expenses to and from Memphis himself. Coach Brandtner specifically told Bliss that the portrayal of the letter writer, Joe Bowling, losing "everything he had ... including his house, his truck and his business" as a result of a high school student moving out was blatantly untrue. The truth is the exact opposite, and yet that allegation was printed. This is basic cause and effect. The student moved out of that house because there was no food or power. The "member of the Bell City coaching staff who isn't a faculty member" is unpaid, and helps out because he enjoys it, and the proper paperwork was filed on his behalf. And so on and so on.

Reporting on a written complaint filed by one school district against another is one thing. But to detail allegations which are clearly unsubstantiated and cannot be proven is negligent journalism. Unfortunately, this is certainly not the first time that the Missourian has allowed this to occur, and I am disappointed and angry.

Who is responsible for overseeing what is printed in this paper? Do you not try to verify sources? Is someone's good name and reputation so worthless that you don't err on the side of caution?

Bliss appears to be on a mission here. There was a related article published in Wednesday's paper. Was it so relevant to pass on the ramblings of a disgruntled individual and print them on the front page of the newspaper as if they were true?

It is one thing for the Naylor School District to try to take action based on the allegations of Bowling, but you allowed names to be published with no proof whatsoever that these deeds occurred. Has anyone checked on the reliability of the author of the letter?

Is it more than a coincidence that the superintendent of the Naylor School District is connected to the Scott County Central School District, and that they share the same attorney?

I feel that a false portrait of the families in Bell City has been painted over the past few months. Seldom have I encountered more genuinely warm and welcoming people. This community pulls together whether it is to celebrate achievements or to support each other in a time of loss. I have observed communitywide support for families who have suffered the deaths of loved ones. This is a community where those who "have" and those who "have less" are one when the welfare of their children is concerned.

I cannot address situations which may or may not have occurred before my son was hired as the basketball coach two years ago. I can tell you that he has always taken the team he has been given and developed it into outstanding players on the court and supported their development off the court. His involvement with them does not end when their high school basketball days are over.

For Bliss to report on alleged improprieties does strike me as somewhat ironic.

Jackie Brandtner of Cape Girardeau is the mother of Brian Brandtner, Bell City basketball coach.